The Diabetic and his Family

-- feeling tired
-- frequent infections
-- slow healing cuts or sores
-- blurred eyesight
-- dry, itchy sin
-- numbness or tingling in hands or feet
-- increased hunger
-- increased thirst
-- frequent urination

One evening in late December 1988, we were getting ready for bed and he had a bad stomach ache. Of course he thought it was indigestion and took a couple Rolaids. He had been having indigestion problems regularly and thought nothing about it.

The Rolaids did not help. The stomach pain became so intense that at midnight that evening I rushed him to the hospital emergency room. The emergency room doctor asked Larry if he was diabetic and Larry said no. (The doctor suspected this the very first thing.) After testing, that's when we found out he did have diabetes. His blood sugar level when I took him to the emergency room that evening was over 300. (Normal is about 70 to 115.)

Diabetes mellitus is a condition caused by lack of available insulin in the body. Insulin is needed to process glucose, a type of simple sugar which is produced when certain foods (particulary those with a carbohydrate content) are digested. If the body doesn't get enough insulin, it cannot process glucose into the heat and energy that the body needs to keep going. If glucose is not processed, it can't be absorbed by the cells and so it collects in the blood, causing high levels of blood glucose.

Type I diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes. People with Type I must take daily insulin injections. Their diet is planned so that it works with the injected insulin to help keep blood glucose at an acceptable level. In Type I the body makes little or no insulin. Without the shots, these people would die.

Type II diabetes is also called non-insulin-dependent diabetes because in many instances a person with Type II can control blood glucose by diet and exercise alone without the use of insulin. Some must take pills (oral hypoglycemic agents) and some may even need to have daily insulin injections. In Type II the body makes insulin but cannot use it. 90% of diabetics are Type II.

Research has shown that proper diet and weight control can have a major impact on decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and/or hypertension for most people. Some diabetic persons are at high risk for both these conditions. They should follow low-fat, low-sodium, low-cholesterol diets.

Exercise is very important. It may enhance the body's use of its own insulin for Type II diabetics. It may help decrease insulin requirements, assist in weight control, reduce risk of cardiovascular complications and improve an overall feeling of well-being. Aerobic exercises are the best because they strengthen heart muscles and enhance the body's capacity to utilize oxygen.

Larry takes pills but is not insulin-dependent. He takes Glucophage and Glucotrol. He is able to control his diabetes with these medications, plus diet and exercise.

I must admit in all honesty that neither Larry nor I took his diabetic condition seriously when we first learned about. Of course his doctor warned us about all the terrible medical problems that can result from diabetes, but I think we developed an attitude that none of this will ever happen to Larry and if we don't think about it, it will go away. All he has to do is take the pills and he will be okay. After he got out of the hospital, he was fine, so we just decided he was back to normal and can eat and do anything he wants again.

This attitude is wrong, wrong, wrong! The problem does not go away if you don't think about it, and very serious medical conditions can develop. Diabetes is a lifelong disease and there is no cure.

Dealing with diabetes can be a strain, not only upon the person with diabetes, but also the entire family. It takes strength, support and motivation to stay in good control.

The first step is acceptance. You must accept the fact that you are a diabetic. Inform the people around you, your family and friends, that you have diabetes. They can offer much needed support.

The second step is dealing with feelings. First, denial sets in. Next comes fear, then anger, then confusion (in that order in Larry's case). All these feelings are normal. Talk to your family and friends, your doctor and nurses about your feelings. They will help you overcome them.

Join a diabetes support group. This is very important. Talking to others who have the same problem to cope with as you is very helpful.

Keep this in mind: The situation is not hopeless. You can control your diabetes so it won't control you!

Your doctor will give you all the necessary tools to maintain control at all times.

Education is the first step. Discuss with your doctor the tools you need to maintain control. In the town where we live, a local hospital offers diabetes education. We met with a Registered Nurse specializing in diabetes who explained diabetes to us in detail, including causes, control, blood sugar testing, diet, etc. Our local hospital also has a support group that meets monthly. Join now! This is very important. This benefited us in the beginning the most.

Meal planning: After meeting with the nurse, we met with a Registered Dietician who gave us detailed information on meal planning specifically designed for Larry's lifestyle and taste, and discussing healthy foods, eating the right amount of food and eating meals at the right times. Losing extra body fat can improve blood sugar by helping the body's insulin work better.

Exercise: Being physically active lowers your blood sugar. Consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program.

Medication: Take your insulin and/or medicine at the prescribed times. This is very important.

Diabetes tests: Test your blood sugar usually before breakfast, lunch and dinner and sometimes at bedtime. Your doctor will tell you when and how often to test. Keep good records of the results. Take the results to all your doctor visits.

Team care: Even though you play the most important role in management of your diabetes, other people with special skills and knowledge are needed as well. Your most valued team players include your doctor, nurses, diabetes educator, dietitian and pharmacist. Other team players playing an important role are your spouse, other family members, friends and your support group.

If you need to diet, here are some excellent recipes to get you started. They have helped me and Larry tremendously. Larry is a big guy and a big eater. He is not a picky eater, but who wants to eat salads and chicken all the time?! I had to find some recipes that were filling for him and that tasted good, but were also healthy and in keeping with his meal plan. The normal feeling of a diet is "If it tastes good, you can't have it." Not true! Try these out. I know you will like them. They have been tested in Carla's Kitchen and have Larry's Seal of Approval!

Cook ground chuck and onion in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until browned, stirring to crumble. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.

Return meat to skillet; stir in tomato sauce and seasonings. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thoroughly heated.

Crumble taco shells and layer in 2-quart casserole dish coated with cooking spray. Next layer meat sauce and then cheese. Pour water over top.

Cover and bake at 400 degrees for 20 mins. Serve hot.

Each serving: 1/2 C
Yield: 8 servings
Meal servings: 2 meat

Combine cauliflower, onion and water in medium saucepan. Cover and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 mins. or until vegetables are crisp tender. Drain well and set aside.

Add milk, cornstarch, bouillon granules and salt to another medium saucepan, beating well with wire whisk to blend. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer, stirring constantly, until thick and bubbly. Add cheese and stir with wire whisk until cheese melts. Remove from heat.

Add cauliflower-onion mixture and chicken to cheese sauce. Spoon mixture into 1-1/2 qt. casserole dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 mins. or until thoroughly heated.

Each serving: 3/4 C
Yield: 6 servings
Meal servings: 1 meat

Brown pork chops and onion in large skillet coated with cooking spray.

Combine water, bouillon and pepper, stirring to dissolve. Add to skillet. Cover and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 mins. Skim off fat.

Add apple slices and cinnamon to mixture in skillet. Cover and simmer another 15 mins. Transfer to serving platter and serve hot.

Each serving: 1 chop with 3/4 C apples
Yield: 4 servings
Meal servings: 1-1/2 starch and 1 meat

Brown roast evenly on all sides over medium heat in small Dutch oven coated with vegetable cooking spray. Add sliced onion, celery, water, salt and pepper.

Cover Dutch oven and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hr. 15 mins. Add sliced carrots and potatoes. Continue to bake, covered, for 1 hr. or until meat and vegetables are tender.

Transfer roast and vegetables to serving platter. Cut roast into 2 oz. slices. Serve hot.

Each serving: 1 slice roast plus 1/6 vegetables
Yield: 6 servings
Meal servings: 2 meat and 1-1/2 starch

Combine chicken and water to cover in a large skillet, cover and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 to 20 mins. or until done. Drain well. Chop chicken and set aside.

Cook spaghetti according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and set aside.

Combine soup, milk and seasonings in small saucepan, stirring to blend.

Layer spaghetti, chicken, soup mixture and mushrooms in 12 x 8 x 2 baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 to 45 mins. or until thoroughly heated.

Serving size: 1 C
Yield: 8 servings
Meal servings: 3 meat and 1 starch

Links:

American Diabetes Association

Diabetes Line

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